Buffy left about an hour after Lara arrived. *She's a bit of a drama queen,* Buffy thought peevishly. *But growing up with money probably does that to you - I mean, look at Cordelia.*

Arriving at the mansion, Buffy looked around for Angel.

"Angel?" *Maybe he's patroling,* Buffy thought, entering the hall. Then she smiled. Angel was sprawled out on the lounge, sleeping, with an open book on his chest. *If he breathed, I'd bet he'd be snoring,* Buffy thought. She watched him for awhile, debating whether or not to wake him up.

Deciding against it, Buffy went to the 'kitchen'. The kitchen in the mansion hadn't been functional in ages. So, Angel had bought a mini fridge and set it up - with blood for him and soda, ice cream and other food stuffs for Buffy.

Buffy poured herself a coke and sat at the table. Just waiting for Angel to wake up - no sense in waking him, it was only just sunset. And it wasn't as if Buffy had come over here other than to tell him about Lady Croft and her research...

Sighing, Buffy leant on her hands. Angel had been back awhile, but their relationship had been completely on edge - every second conversation ended in an awkward silence or Buffy leaving the mansion. *This is depressing,* Buffy thought. *Most people don't meet their soulmate until they're old. I manage to meet mine - he was born three centuries too early and we can't be together. The higher powers really stuffed up big this time.*

"Buffy?" Angel walked into the 'kitchen' and sat opposite her. "I'm sorry, I was sleeping."

"No big - I used the time to catch up on my brooding," Buffy shrugged and took a sip of her drink.

"I didn't realize you were coming around," Angel sounded almost apologetic. "I thought we were on a break."

"We are," Buffy nodded decisively. "Which would usually mean that I wouldn't come around at all - at least not until our break ended..."

"Buffy, you're babbling," Angel interrupted.

Buffy nodded. "Okay. No more Buffy babble. You've heard about the artifact that has been 'discovered' in Sunnydale, right?"

Angel shrugged. "Sort of. I beat up Willie last night and got a bit out of him. But all I know is it's all powerful."

"Well," Buffy began. "A local museum person discovered this parchment with a long lost legend, yada, yada, yada, anyway, there is some rare artifact- known as the 'amulet', even though no one has a clue what it actually is, buried in Sunnydale. Now, Giles discovered that the artifact is all powerful - something about the possessor having the power of the gods. Which means, in a place like Sunnydale.."

"We need to find it and find it fast," Angel finished.

"Kind of," Buffy winced. "Giles got this girl in from London, 'cause he doesn't believe I can do a thorough enough job. So, if we want to help, we've got to do it with some archaeologist helping us with it."

"What do you mean, Giles doesn't think you can do the job?" Angel looked surprised.

Buffy looked at the floor. "Well, he got this girl in, 'cause she's a professional. I'm obviously not good enough."

Angel walked around the other side of the table and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be silly. Did Giles actually say any of this to you?"

Buffy shook her head. "Xander did."

Angel rolled his eyes. "That says it all. It's a girl? Obviously, she has a decent sized chest, or Xander would have supported you."

Buffy nodded, leaning on his shoulder. "You have a point. Giles knows I've defeated some of the nastiest demons the world has to offer. But why did he ask a normal, human girl to do the job? Why is he paying someone when I'll do it for a night off?"

Angel frowned. "You have a point. This is Sunnydale - we really can't risk an innocent's life. What does she know about vampires?"

Buffy shrugged. "All she said was, 'I have no sympathies for Slayers,' and, 'You'd be surprised what a bullet will kill'."

"Too risky, having her with us," Angel stood up. "Come on, it's dark enough to go talk to Giles - lets sort this out. Besides, I'd like to meet this girl who has Xander choosing her over you - she must be a model or something."

"Oh, she's beautiful," Buffy stood up. "She's in her twenties, but absoulutely gorgeous - you'll probably fall for her."

Angel gave Buffy a funny look. "Never. She could be the prettiest girl in history, but you are my girl. I will love you forever."

With that, Angel leant down and kissed Buffy. After a few minutes of... making out, Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck. "I miss this - I miss us," she whispered.

Angel kissed her nose. "I know. But sometimes, the bad times in our lives make us stronger. Make us deal."

"That makes sense," Buffy smiled. "But I wish it didn't feel this bad."

Angel nodded. "I know."